See what happens when I spend an entire day raking leaves to no avail? The trees were probably laughing at me as they dropped more leaves when I wasn’t looking. Oh well, time to sip a nice glass of wine and listen to a song apropos for my day’s work. “Les feuilles mortes” (literally, “The dead leaves”) otherwise known here in the US as “Autumn Leaves”, sung by no other than an international treasure, Edith Piaf.

One may, of course, wonder why we even bother sweeping up leaves. If left to rot my beloved worms would soon pull them down and convert them into fertile mulch. By way of comfort, Phil: Think of Sisyphus and his labours. And, on a more practical note: All that raking gives you exercise and some fresh air. And time to think.

Edith Piaf tends to make me a little melancholic so I’ll give her miss this minute. It’s a French thing.

The first poem had such a sentimental feel to it; the second one was kind of resentful of the same thing. I suppose that reflects how most of us feel about those leaves–pretty but irritating. The picture is captivating.

I thought those were splendid Autumn haiku, contrasting your two opposing responses to the leaves. And what a wonderful photograph. Our trees have only just started to turn a little bit yellow, with a fine scattering of browner ones on the ground — despite our recent gales.

PS I thought I was following your blog. Must have clicked on something by mistake. Will re-follow post haste!

I’m not good at doing Haiku. You’ve done a great job with these two.
Edith Piaf is one of my favorite singers. This is a video I hadn’t seen.
It fits so well with the Autumn season.
We don’t have Autumn with changing leaves here. ~~~“ : – (
Thanks for the visual on Autumn.

My in-laws lived in South Florida. For me, it was an adjustment not so much for fall, but during the Christmas holiday. I grew up in the Northeast, with snow typically in the picture for the holiday. It just seemed so strange to be out and about with short sleeves among the palm trees with Christmas carols playing in the background.

I had the hardest time with seeing people in tropical shirts and sandals for Christmas too. I grew up in Brooklyn, New York so the cold weather and snow were greatly missed. They start decorating for x’mas too soon. They start before Halloween. BIZARRE ….!!!!

I really hate trotting out the Christmas Holiday before we’ve celebrated other holidays. It really robs from the special feelings that should be exclusive for each holiday. We’ve not even celebrated Thanksgiving, and yet we have commercials already running, reminding us of Christmas. Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays, and I cannot help but feel that Christmas is an interloper spoiling it to some degree. The rampant commercialism is robbing the soul of each holiday, making each less special.

I don’t think you are an old curmudgeon. I feel the same way. It’s hard to enjoy the blessings and THANKFULNESS one should feel ate Thanksgiving because of the rush to get to the next one. I believe we are a people of constantly needing to be gratified. They rush to do all of the things they think they need to do to make the holiday the holiday. They’re are lazy too. They don’t want to decorate for 2 weeks. Why not decorate for 2 months. My family member – which I will not say who it is – keep sher tree up all year in a spare bedroom. UGH … ggy !!!!
You have to just enjoy your own celebratory style and poo on the others. ~~~~ : – O
Isadora

Glad you enjoyed Noleen. Edith Piaf is such a treasure – that pitch perfect voice and famous vibrato just seems to evoke an indescribable longing coming from her soul. Here is another more mainstream signature song of hers: